Patient quarantined for possible Ebola in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (MyNews4.com & KRNV) -- A south Sacramento hospital has admitted a patient who may have been exposed to the Ebola virus.

According to NBA Bay Area, health officials confirmed the admittance on Tuesday. The Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center is working with the Sacramento County Division of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to test blood samples from the patient.

"In order to protect our patients, staff and physicians, even though infection with the virus is unconfirmed, we are taking the actions recommended by the CDC as a precaution, just as we do for other patients with a suspected infectious disease," Dr. Stephen Parodi, director of hospital operations for Kaiser Permanente Northern California said in a statement.

"This includes isolation of the patient in a specially equipped negative pressure room and the use of personal protective equipment by trained staff, coordinated with infectious disease specialists. This enables the medical center to provide care in a setting that safeguards other patients and medical teams."

According to an infectious disease specialist, the public should not panic. The Ebola virus is rare, with exposure usually happening in west African nations. No cases have been confirmed in the United States.